CHAPTER ONE - ALPHA'S DUTY

Sarah

And suddenly everything was happening too fast... James was so tense, I could tell he had been injected with an insane amount of adrenaline straight into his chest. Liane was next to Amelia on the sofa, and seemed to be suturing her neck. I had imagined that James would bring Amelia here, but not in a situation like this... I looked at the whole situation around me happening as if I was watching them in slow motion, for a brief moment I blinked and looked at Stanley. I saw him with his eyebrows furrowed, frowning.

" By any chance, can you explain it to me? " Stanley said with his fists clenched and only then did I notice Lucas there. He stopped, looking at the two of us with wide eyes. And then Stanley asked again, in a serious tone. "Can you please explain to me exactly what the fuck happened?"

"I could ask you the same thing." James replied.

" This is not the time for this. " Ethan approached them. "I'm sure they'll explain later." Lucas sighed.

" We saw her and Abell fighting in the middle of the street. Abell ended up taking her by surprise. " He looked towards the couch. "Before she ran away.

" I'll send William and a few more wolves to look for him. " Stanley took his cell phone out of his pocket and walked away. Lucas turned his gaze to me and I wondered what was going through his head.

I know... The smell must be unusual.

" Is she going to be okay? " I heard James asking Liane and I looked at both of them.

" I'll do everything I can. " She replied with a sweet smile on her face. I walked over and patted James on the shoulder as I tried to comfort him.

He may not have realized it yet, but taking into account all this preoccupation with a female he just met, it leaves no doubt that he has found his mate.

Which makes everything more complicated. After all, her life is in danger. Losing her so soon after meeting her would be an unbearable pain I can imagine. I felt a pain in my chest just imagining losing Stanley. Companions are precious and unique. I don't know what I would do if I lost mine.

" Don't worry. " I told him and left a kiss on his forehead. The scent of camellias was completely masked by their woody scent and the blood in the air. My eyes flicked to Amelia. Her chest barely moved. Her breath was extremely weak and her mouth whiter than snow. How can she still be alive after that bite? Even worse, made by Abell. Your own brother.

"I've given you morphine, so you won't feel any more pain for a while. The bleeding in the neck has been stopped with the suture, so all we can do now is wait to see if the wolf will respond to the regeneration process." Liane saved some things . "She was lucky. Although she lost a lot of blood, the main vein was not completely severed. " She grabbed some gauze and wet it with something before dabbing it on the wounds on her face. "Once she recovers some of the lost blood, she may regain consciousness.

"Thanks Liane." James spoke and looked at Amelia. I tried to ignore her shaking hands. Her knuckles turning white as she closed them.

" You're welcome. " Liane replied and I saw her watching him. A compassionate look on her face. "Is she his friend?

" Not really. " He replied and Liane raised an eyebrow. Yes, there it is. She will understand soon enough.

"Known?" She asked again.

" Liane, enough. Can't you read the situation? " Ethan approached her and pulled her close to his body.

"Fine…" James sighed. " I actually don't even know this wolf well. I just tried to help.

" You saved her. " Liane corrected.

" And I can't even imagine why..." I whispered smiling. Liane and Ethan looked at me with raised eyebrows. "James, take her to one of the rooms and keep an eye on her until she wakes up." He looked at me and smiled weakly. He bent over her and held her in his arms, still wrapped in the blanket, with unbelievable care. He passed us and I saw him disappear down the hall.

I sighed and looked around. Stanley wasn't around and neither was Lucas.

" I don't even know how to thank you. " I looked at both of them. "Why don't you stay for dinner?

"Yes, of course." Liane smiled.

Stanley

The rage that was inside me to see a wolf from my pack on the verge of death because of that bastard was the last thing I expected right now. I put my phone away and smelled Lucas as I knocked on the door.

" Come in. " I said and my office door opened. Lucas looked troubled. And he already imagined the subject we would take.

"Are you entwined? The scent on you two is noticeable." I nodded. Hearing that ended up getting rid of some of the anger. Yes, we have each other's scent on our skin. Even after the thought-provoking shower we had when we arrived. I smiled as I remembered. "Ethan and Liane already knew?

" Yes, they came here earlier today. " I replied and he sat in the armchair in front of me stunned. " Look, this is news to me too, okay? " I feel like I've repeated this a million times. "What could I do?" I leaned against the dark wood table. " I think something clicked inside me the moment I saw her for the first time. And now I know why. I wasn't going to leave my companion lying around. It was impossible for that to happen. Even if I wanted to.

"Yeah, I know, I can imagine. It's just... It seems like everything clicked into place in my head now." He looked at me and crossed his arms. "I'm happy for you. It's about time actually," He smiled.

"Thanks. I've been waiting for this for a long time.

"I'm a little jealous of you right now, shit." He clucked his tongue.

"One day you'll find your mate. Not as divine as mine, but you will. Don't worry." I laughed and he smiled a little.

" Stop bragging. Have you forgotten that you need to capture someone? " I sighed at the memory.

" William and Alex have already left to patrol with the others. But I highly doubt they will find Abell. That bastard is more like a treacherous fox. He hides in any hole.

" He left his scent trail. If he doesn't hide it, we'll find him quickly. As well as the blood and his footprints. Must have left something along the way.

" I hope so. " I stared at the antique shutter. It was pitch black outside. “If Amelia wakes up, she can give us more information.” I crossed my arms. " And looking at the least negative side, she's free now.

" To be honest, I never imagined that she was controlled by her brother. The apple never falls far from the tree. That's what I thought.

" Well, so do I. But it seems there are always exceptions. And I prefer it that way.

"What about James? Is he going to stick around?" I looked at him and gave the question some thought.

"I'm not sure. But now with Amelia on her way, maybe her plans will change a bit.

" Why? He fell in love with her? " He showed a mischievous smile.

Sarah says he may have found his mate, but I'm not so sure. He's a little hard to read. After all, it helped Sarah a lot even though they didn't know each other. Same with Amelia now.

"Hm." Lucas grumbled. “Makes sense.” He stared at the floor. "But the way he acted there... It was very different for me. It was thinly veiled desperation. His pupils were completely dilated.

I sighed and rubbed the back of my head.

" Lucas, there's something else I want to talk to you about. " I looked at him and saw him adjust himself in the armchair. "As the second of the pack, I trust enough to say what I'm going to say now." He stared at me, waiting. "The alliance with Reece's pack is broken." He furrowed his brows and his eyes widened a little. "No one knows this yet but Sarah and you.

"And why did you make that decision?

"Reece did things that…" I stopped. I can't talk about the issues he's been hiding from Sarah. Like I said, I want to leave this to him to sort out. I don't want that bomb going off in my side. It's a weapon I still intend to use against Reece. "Well, I have solid reasons to separate my pack from his." Lucas looked at me, and finally nodded.

"We are without any alliance so...

"Having Reece's ring or not having it makes no difference to me. Not after knowing he's a cowardly bastard.

" We need to redouble our attention now. " I nodded when I heard him.

" I hate to say it, but unfortunately yes.

Even more so with Abell out there, I don't know what he could do, but it's still a problem.

"Okay." He got up. "It was my time.

"Thanks for your help today." He nodded and opened the door.

" I'm always available, boss.

Soon we left and a delicious smell came from the kitchen. The sight I saw undoubtedly filled my chest. Ethan and Liane were sitting at the counter and Sarah was on the other side serving them both with her creamy meat pasta. I laughed and saw her eyes land on me.

" Finally..." She smiled. And that sight filled me with a hard-on, I'm sorry guests. My female is a perfect hostess.

" Come and eat before me and my little Rose eat for you. " Liane and Ethan laughed.

" I wouldn't doubt it, my love. " He spoke to her and stole a kiss from the wolf.

I glanced sideways at James' bedroom door before continuing on to where my female was. Maybe Amelia can wake up only tomorrow. A chill went through my body at the thought of the worst. I really hope she wakes up. Because if Sarah really is right about them, I feel sorry for what James' life will be like going forward if Amelia doesn't make it.

" Is everything okay? " Sarah asked looking at me with those beautiful caramel eyes. The furrowed brows and her lips pressed into a thin line...

"It is." I kissed her soft lips with calm and appreciation. But I soon noticed that there were spectators nearby. I sighed smiling when I saw Sarah's red cheeks. Her scent is a temptation for my body.

I squinted and saw Liane watching the two of us. Her hand rested on her chin as she swirled her fork in the pasta.

" Sorry, I'm going to take some time to get used to this. " He looked away from his plate and started to eat. A mischievous smile at the corner of his mouth. Liane always pissed me off about female wolves. She always said that I was always very worried about the pack and never about myself. That's an Alpha's duty, isn't it?

" Let me tell you. " Lucas said helping himself.

But at least now I understand what she always said. I looked at Sarah again who was now picking up a plate for her all smiling. Liane found her mate before I did. She knew this magnificent feeling before I did. To always have someone by her side. For everything. The fact is, I've always had the pack. For me, the feeling of taking care of them and seeing them well was enough. If maybe I had been more open back then and realized that that wasn't all, maybe I would have drawn my soulmate to me much sooner.